Hi All, I'm new here and brand new to AA. I have only recently been able to actually admit that I am an alcoholic after attending an intensive outpatient program, getting the education, and hearing some of the other people's stories.
I have not been to AA yet but plan on attending a meeting tomorrow afternoon. Do I have to attend a beginners meeting? I am most interested in the open discussion meetings. It is my understanding that this is just a round table type discussion. How is the beginner one different?
Today is day two for me. It's been kind of tough since I am stuck in a house with two people drinking. I have been taking walks and smoking a lot of cigs. Any other suggestions?
Yep, move in with people that don't drink. The odds are long enough without adding to degree of difficulty. Living in a house with alcohol in it and watching people drink is not good for your sobriety. You need to be watching people get sober, figuring out how they do it and imitate them, not the opposite.
Welcome to the board and good luck in your new journey. As for the beginners meetings, It would be a good idea for you to attend one regularly for a month or two along with a step meeting, a speakers meeting, and some discussion meetings. Men's meetings are a big plus. Stick around, I've had a lot more fun sober than I ever did drinking.
Welcome to MIP. It's a great board and everyone is so helpful and friendly.
I'd suggest getting to as many meetings as possible, especially in the early days of your sobriety. AA meetings are great and I enjoy mine and have made so many good friends.
Trying to stay sober while someone around you is drinking is a very hard thing to try to do. In the first couple of weeks of my sobriety my boyfriend was staying with me and drinking. I told him it was OK with me for him to keep drinking as he isn't the alcoholic. But, it did make it so much harder and we need all the help that we can get at first.
Please keep posting and letting us know how things are going for you, won't you?
Take care,
Carol
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. ~Dr. Seuss
Welcome to MIP, Egg. Well done in your two days. I hope Day3 is going well for you. Get all the support you can at meetings & take some phone numbers from the men so that you can call when you're at home & may need to ease some pressure. It's no fun being around others who are drinking in our early days but it does get easier in time & we learn not to expose ourselves to it unduly.
I met a new friend in the fellowship last year who was studying in Liverpool & staying on Campus where all the young students were in full flow of a lively drinking culture. She couldn't take it any more & rather than risk her sobriety, without which she'd have nothing anyway, she quit the course & went back home. This sounds drastic but her commitment to her recovery was paramount & she knew she maybe able to redo the course later but maybe not get a second chance at recovery. She was prepared to go to any lengths.
Success in staying sober is dependent on living 1Day@aTime & developing our own idea of & relationship with a Higher Power. This comes with time & practice. There is a wonderful life on offer away from a drink. Attending meetings, reading AA literature & nestling into fellowship is the way I've learned how to live life on life's terms & not rely on alcohol to get me through. Alcohol is no longer an option for me as it was killing me from the inside out. I hope you find this best for you too. Goodluck for Today :) How did your meeting go then, Egg? Danielle x
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Progress not perfection.. & Practice makes Progress!
Hello....a few suggestions I can think of would be to attend as many meetings as you can right now, not only for support, but also to gather and glean as much information as you can to help you stay clean & sober and to cope later when your disease comes at you strong.
Take a small notebook with you and jot down similarities in what you hear others say...things that you can relate to....things that just click with you.
Be open to hear everything someone says, even if some of it might disagree with your beliefs or your thinking. Something in what they say might make all the difference in the world to you - even if they've made you angry.
Put as much effort into going to meetings and listening as you did into drinking or getting drinks.
Read the first 164 pages of the Big Book (the book of Alcoholics Anonymous).
DONT pick up a drink NO MATTER WHAT happens.
Get a phone list at several meetings and learn to use them. Call someone - even just to say, "Hey, I've never called someone on a phone list from AA and I'm not sure how this is supposed to work..." They will help take the conversation over from there.
If something is bothering you to the point you feel like drinking, bring it up during the meeting.
Don't cross-talk in the meetings. If someone else is talking, wait until they are finished, or wait your turn. Most larger meetings allow an opportunity for someone to speak once....be mannerly and let everyone talk....but take your opportunity to talk when it comes to you if you need to - otherwise just pass.
In the beginning it's better to listen and learn. There can be a lot of growth from hearing other people share experience, strength and hope.
Consider purchasing a Big Book and a 12 & 12 book when you can. If you cannot afford one, ask the meeting secretary, usually the meeting has extra funds that can be used for the purchase of these books for a new commer.
Don't be embarrassed to ask. There are no stupid question in AA. You help us when you ask by letting us be of service...which is part of our program.
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Today I will be handling All of your problems for you. I do Not need your help. So, have a nice day. I love you. ~ GOD *****
